The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has vehemently rejected allegations made by Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, denouncing them as a fabric of falsehoods, rhetoric, and baseless accusations.
Earlier today, Tarar accused the PTI of conspiring to undermine Pakistan's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status, claiming that the party's spokespersons were orchestrating schemes detrimental to the country under instructions from jail.
The information minister alleged that PTI's purported agenda aimed to jeopardise Pakistan's economy through a campaign founded upon falsehoods. Furthermore, Tarar claimed that incarcerated PTI leader Imran Khan was receiving preferential treatment, including amenities not provided to other prisoners.
Tarar refuted claims of inadequate facilities for Khan, asserting that he had extensive meeting privileges during his incarceration, contrary to prison regulations. He attributed the suspension of meetings to security concerns near Adiala Jail, dismissing assertions of mistreatment as unsubstantiated.
Pakistan's GSP+ status, granted by the European Union in 2014, promotes good governance and sustainable development by facilitating duty-free or minimum duty exports to the European market. The status, extended until 2027, plays a vital role in fostering trade relations between Pakistan and the EU.
Also read: Attempts by PTI to get GSP+ withdrawn an 'attack' on country: Info minister
Reacting strongly to the information minister's press conference, a PTI spokesperson on Wednesday categorically denied any suggestion that the party had corresponded with the EU to advocate for the revocation of Pakistan's GSP+ status.
The spokesperson emphasised that PTI had not written any such communication, dismissing the information minister's assertions as deceitful claims and unfounded allegations.
Highlighting PTI's efforts towards the successful implementation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, the spokesperson criticised former PML-N finance minister Ishaq Dar's alleged incompetence and obstinacy for causing delays. The spokesperson lamented that individuals responsible for pushing the country to the brink of bankruptcy were once again imposed upon the nation against its will.
Asserting PTI's position as Pakistan's largest and most popular political party, the spokesperson accused members of the "Pakistan Democratic Movement-2 (PDM-2)" of prioritising personal gains over national interests. He labeled them as “courtiers blinded by falsehoods disseminated through their purported fake ministries”.
Read the full story at the express tribune website.
